I completed my Valdosta State DPA today

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by truckie270, Mar 28, 2011.

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  1. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    I successfully defended my dissertation today and was awarded the Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) degree from Valdosta State University.

    All in all, it was a very good experience. It took me 47 months to complete. I could have probably wrapped it up last fall, but some things came up.

    The defense was not too bad and in a sense, anticlimactic. The defense took about an hour and a half and there were no changes to my project recommended by my committee.

    My total costs for the degree over four years was $15,000 with residencies, but some TA from my employer brought my out-of-pocket to less than $8000 ($6000 of which were residency costs (x6) due to travel from Washington State).

    Before anyone asks, my plans are:
    • 11 days in Maui next week!
    • Camping almost the entire summer.
    • 2 remaining classes at Jacksonville State for an MS in Emergency Management.
    • Publications and presentations planned for later this year.
    • A couple of professional certifications that I have been putting off.

    For anyone considering a Doctorate, I say go for it if it works out for you. It was not tremendously difficult, it just required focus and perseverance.

    As for time required for a dissertation, look at it this way - I managed to start and finish my dissertation in less time than it has taken MC to find a suitable degree program! :sgrin:
     
    truckie270, Mar 28, 2011
    #1
  2. nanoose

    nanoose New Member

    Well done and congratulations, Truckie!
     
    nanoose, Mar 28, 2011
    #2
  3. dlcurious

    dlcurious Member

    Absolutely, congratulations on your accomplishment. It is well deserved.
     
    dlcurious, Mar 28, 2011
    #3
  4. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Congratulations!!!!!

    :arms: Is there a DOCTOR in the house? Fo' Sho'! Raise the roof!!!! :arms:

    Unfortunately, that is true. It was a full 7 years between my first logged credits until I figured out how turn it into an AA from Excelsior. Then again, I did learn two languages in that same time frame, so you tell me who wins the nerdiest nerd award :sgrin:
     
    Maniac Craniac, Mar 28, 2011
    #4
  5. nanoose

    nanoose New Member

    OK....let's give Maniac the Nerdiest Nerd Award, and Truckie the DPA. Sound good? What say ye? All in favor?....Done! :wink:
     
    nanoose, Mar 28, 2011
    #5
  6. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Wait, is it too late to trade?! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    Maniac Craniac, Mar 28, 2011
    #6
  7. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    Congrats on your accomplishment.
     
    AUTiger00, Mar 28, 2011
    #7
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Why to go DOCTOR!!!!

    Now that is just cold :sgrin: ...I love it
     
    Randell1234, Mar 28, 2011
    #8
  9. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Congrats and well done.
     
    ITJD, Mar 28, 2011
    #9
  10. mark74

    mark74 New Member

    Great accomplishment! Congratulations!
     
    mark74, Mar 28, 2011
    #10
  11. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Outstanding! Ooh-rah! :usa2:
     
    major56, Mar 29, 2011
    #11
  12. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Nice work Truckie. I'm glad to hear you're going on vacation. You've clearly earned it.
     
    Kizmet, Mar 29, 2011
    #12
  13. joel66

    joel66 New Member

    Congratulations!
     
    joel66, Mar 29, 2011
    #13
  14. NorCal

    NorCal Active Member

    You guys crack me up, lol.

    :biggrin:
     
    NorCal, Mar 29, 2011
    #14
  15. J. Ayers

    J. Ayers New Member

    Congratulations and best wishes!
     
    J. Ayers, Mar 29, 2011
    #15
  16. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Truckie,

    Welcome to the Academy! Congrats on a job well done. I just wish that DPA was an option for me when I started doctoral studies; I would have been all over it :)

    Shawn
     
    Shawn Ambrose, Mar 29, 2011
    #16
  17. agschmidt

    agschmidt New Member

    Congrats Truckie, and thanks for all of the info you've posted to help those of us who hope to follow in your footsteps!
     
    agschmidt, Mar 29, 2011
    #17
  18. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Well done, doctor!
     
    edowave, Mar 29, 2011
    #18
  19. rcreighton

    rcreighton New Member

    Outstanding accomplishment, Doctor Truckie. Enjoy Maui!!
     
    rcreighton, Mar 29, 2011
    #19
  20. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Congratulations!
     
    SteveFoerster, Mar 29, 2011
    #20
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